'Talk about a workhorse. Rozsival, a native of the Czech Republic, played 38:16 in New York’s double-overtime win, four minutes more than any skater on either team. He logged more than 10 minutes of ice time while the Rangers were short-handed. He recorded a game-high eight of New York’s 34 blocks. He administered three hits. And he produced three shots of his own, including the one that resulted in the winning goal.'

'The Milwaukee-born Stafford loves it so much he formed a band, Invisible Children, with AHL goaltender Jordan Parise (brother of New Jersey Devils forward Zach) when both attended Shattuck St. Mary's prep school in Minnesota.'

'Rozsival ended the marathon after 96 minutes 43 seconds on a shot that fooled Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller because it breezed by Rangers star Jaromir Jagr and Sabres defenceman Toni Lydman, who were only 15 feet in front of Miller.'

'Still, showing what Renney called "incredible resolve," they pulled out the win with a goal from Rozsival, a defenceman who wasn't able to practise Saturday because of a lingering knee injury. "That's what champions look like," Renney said of the hobbled defender.'

'In the second overtime Roy would take a penalty as he tripped up Sean Avery on the face off. But the Sabres would off their second penalty in as many overtime periods. New York defenseman Paul Mara would be called for hooking Thomas Vanek along the boards to give Buffalo a chance on the power play with nine minute left in the second overtime. But once again the Sabres could not score with the man advantage. Just minutes after the penalty kill, Michal Rozsival score the game winner on a shot through traffic from the point to win Game Three 2-1 in double overtime.'

'After that, it was a goaltending duel between Henrik Lundqvist and Sabres counterpart Ryan Miller. Lundqvist stopped 38 shots and became a winner when Rozsival beat Miller with the Rangers' 46th shot.'

'Many postings consist of just one word — “Miller!” after a big save by the Sabres goalie, for example, or certain words that can’t be repeated in a family newspaper following a Buffalo penalty or an opponent’s goal.'

'But the Sabres are coming off a game in which they failed to generate much offense for 40 minutes. They took four shots in the first period, five in the second. They capitalized on two Ranger mistakes in the third period to win. “They made some good adjustments and we struggled with it,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.'

'His decision to move Drew Stafford from left wing on Chris Drury’s line to right wing on Derek Roy’s line hardly was an epiphany. Ruff needed to arouse his lines. He had been holding that card all along. Stafford answered with a perfect feed for Thomas Vanek’s winner, and the Sabres escaped from a game in which they were outplayed.'

'Still, there’s cause for concern as the series shifts to the Big Apple, former stomping grounds of Yogi Berra, who once uttered the selfevident phrase that continues to resonate: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”'

'An elementary school teacher there said the other day that she gave her students this essay assignment: "If you had two tickets to the Sabres game, who would you take with you and why?" It was her way of asking, "Who is the most important person in your life?" because the Sabres are that important to the life of the city.'